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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (3-5-1998 Guisborough Evangelical Church)
We often think that first century churches were very
different from ours. We imagine all was sweetness and light, that the apostles,
preachers and pastors had no problems and difficulties, that the congregations
were loyal and mature, and that there was no criticism or discontent. This is a
very mistaken view. The first century churches were no different from ours. Paul
was often in hot water, the object of criticism, and not least from the
Corinthians. They accused him of inconsistency, changing his mind, saying
“yes” while meaning “no”. Criticism arose when people did not know all
the facts, and Paul has to explain the situation because his integrity is at
stake, and therefore the integrity of the Gospel.
We need to go into the background in order to see the
relevance of the text before us, concerning what God has done and is doing in
the lives of Christians. After writing our 1 Corinthians, Paul planned to go to
Macedonia and then to Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:5), but he changed his mind. He
decided to go to Corinth first and then to Macedonia, and then to Corinth again
(2 Corinthians 1:16). Then he changed his mind again. He went to Corinth and had
a very difficult time, which he described as a “painful visit”. The trouble
in the church greatly upset him. He wrote them a letter, a very severe letter
(which has not survived), out of his affliction, anguish of heart and many
tears. He had spoken about the trouble-maker, the ringleader in the church, who
had caused him great injury. And he felt so hurt that he decided not to revisit
Corinth after going to Macedonia. He acted out of consideration for them. He
would have exercised severe discipline, and caused further hurt, and would have
been accused of being a dictator.
He did not return to Corinth
until the situation had settled down. He was anxious to help, not to interfere.
Those who accused him of being indecisive did not realize he had acted out of
consideration for them, that he stood with them. So Paul explains to them what
sort of man he is. He conducts himself with holiness and sincerity (2
Corinthians 1:12). He does not trust to worldly wisdom, neither is he swayed by
selfishness. The Christ he preached was totally reliable, and he spoke of the
fulfilment of all God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:19,20).
Furthermore he points to what God has done in his life, making him firm and reliable. He speaks of four things God has done in his life, and that he longs will be seen in their lives: established, anointed, sealed, and given the Holy Spirit as a deposit. These four things guarantee his trustworthiness and stability in reply to their criticisms, and we shall look at each in turn.
o
de bebaiwn makes strong, establishes, strengthens, confirms. He will keep
us and enable us to carry out the work to which He has called us. He gives us a
firm grasp of His promises. He makes our attachment to Christ irreversible. He
makes us trustworthy and dependable, as Christ Himself is. He makes us
steadfast. He makes sure we do all that He has planned for us. “Immortal till
our work is done.”
Paul experienced God ensuring
that the plan for him would be carried out during shipwreck off Crete on his way
to Rome. God promised Paul that he would reach Rome, and all those sailing with
him would be rescued. God carried this guarantee out (Acts 27:22-26). He assured
the crew, Take heart, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told
me. God, in His sovereign power, has plans and purposes for us. We can have
confidence they will be carried out, the Devil, the world and powers of evil
notwithstanding.
Ask and trust God to have His way with us so we become consistent and reliable and have confidence that all plans for us will be carried out. Our lives are not at the mercy of chance and opposition and misfortune. I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you (Genesis 28:15). If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31). If God has planned we should do a job, or task, or go to a certain place, or get a post, we shall get it. No matter how strong the opposition and fierce the gale, we can stand.
crisas
c.f. cristoss – anointed one. N.B. in
the Old Testament, people were anointed with oil. Prophets, e.g. Elisha by
Elijah (1 Kings 19:16). Priests, e.g. Aaron by Moses (Exodus 28:41). Kings, e.g.
Saul, David, Solomon (1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Kings 1:39). These men were set apart to
perform special service for the Lord, and they were publicly recognised. They
dedicated themselves to their responsibilities, regardless of popular opinion or
their own feeling of fitness. Their anointing gave them the assurance God would
be with them and their labour would not be in vain.
In the New Testament, anointing
was not with oil, but with the Holy Spirit. The Lord as He began His ministry. The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the Gospel to
the poor and heal the broken-hearted (Luke 4:18). “Christ” literally
means anointed one. Peter referred to this in the house of Cornelius - God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power … went around doing
good and healing all oppressed (Acts 10:38).
Not only Christ, but all believers have been anointed,
and some as in 2 Corinthians 1, for special ministry. For some, anointing means
being separated for service, saved to serve, given wisdom, made aware of task
and enabled to perform it. The anointing of the Holy Spirit reveals God’s will
and power, and confers authority to service. It gives fragrance to character,
gentleness of speech and conduct, it makes the truth attractive, and takes
bitterness and severity out of us. It makes us gentle when we also have to be
firm.
Every time we serve the Lord and
undertake a task for Him, and come together for service of worship, we should
seek fresh anointing on the preacher and worshippers. Must be sought earnestly.
Yield selves to the influence of the Holy Spirit. How little we remember this
anointing by the Holy Spirit, to seek and ask for it. Is this why our service is
unfruitful and lacks the extra which the Holy Spirit can give? Without Him the
church is more of a club. He must affect our worship, ministry and service.
Without Him nothing is of lasting and spiritual value.
“If God took the Holy Spirit out of the midst today, 95% of what we do in our churches would go on and we would not know the difference. Our services, choir practices, men’s clubs and women’s meetings – could they continue without the Holy Spirit? If so, they are the product of human effort and not divine spirit.” “We spend so much time trying to do in the flesh what can only be properly done in the spirit.” “Hence sameness, deadness and emptiness of so much activity in churches” [source of these quotations is not specified.]
Seals were common enough in ancient times. They had
various uses. e.g. legal documents. A blob of hot wax on parchment or lump of
wet clay sealing strings tying documents would be impressed with signet ring of
owner, validating it as being genuine. Then, as now, logs and planks had
burnt-in marks indicating ownership, then floated down river to sawmill.
The Holy Spirit is placed into us by God. We have His
presence within, changing us. We bear the fruit of the Spirit. We are turned
into the image of Christ. He is a sign to us and to others that we are owned by
God, and the object of His special care. The presence of the Spirit is assurance
to us. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of
God (Romans 8:16). The changes in our life are evidence of His living power
and presence within.
Various grounds of assurance,
e.g. believing the promises of God. Here also is the work of the Holy Spirit.
God has put His mark of ownership on our lives. We do not belong to the world or
the devil or to self, but to Him. If we lack evidence of the Holy Spirit, we
have no right to assume we are Christians. God has not put His mark on us.
Do you ever wonder if you are a Christian? Are you deceiving yourself? How can you be sure? It is not by a bubbly feeling inside, or walking on air. But look for the proof of the Holy Spirit in your life. The closer we live to the Lord and the more we are yielded to Him, the more evident will be His mark on us. Constant reminder to us that we are not our own for we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19).
The Spirit is not only concerned
with present, but also with the future. It is an earnest or deposit, arrabwn,
down-payment, first instalment, pledge. We have all seen the sign “a small
deposit secures”. Buying a house – a deposit guarantees the rest is to come.
In modern Greek, the engagement ring was a guarantee that marriage would later
take place. The spirit is the first instalment, guaranteeing the rest is to
follow of all we have in Christ. The Holy Spirit is an encouragement to us of
more to come in the future. We have guidance now – but there will be more in
the future. We have power now – but there will be more for tomorrow.
But this deposit has special
reference to the life beyond. Guarantee of full inheritance one day in heaven. An
inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away,
reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:4). Sample and guarantee all God has
for us in the future. Foretaste of heaven.
“Each
sweet Ebeneezer I have in review
Confirms
His good pleasure to see me quite through.”
God has not given it all, but
only the firstfruits of the spirit (1 Samuel 7:12). Heirs of God and joint
heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Eye has not seen or ear heard, nor has
there entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them
that love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).
We are unspeakably wealthy in Christ, and “the best has yet to be”. Here is the answer to doubt about the future life. We can reason from the resurrection of Christ and promises of the Word. But here is another line of evidence – it is personal and unmistakable if we are aware of the Spirit’s presence in our life.
Travelled a long way from the background to this text.
Paul is answering those who found him two-faced and unreliable. He not only
explains the reason for his change of plans, but points to God’s work in his
life. Established, anointed, sealed and given a deposit, the Spirit within. God
makes us trustworthy and dependable – the very reverse of what Paul was
accused of. Another reminder of the work of God in the life of the believer. The
glories of the Gospel of his grace.
Have we this testimony? Do we know the Holy Spirit as well as knowing Christ? Can we point to His work in our lives? Many Christians lack deep knowledge of the Holy Spirit, and their Christian life suffers as a result. The impression the Spirit makes on the life is feeble and fitful. He only becomes real when self, with all its plans and will and strength, are put to death. We must yield ourselves unreservedly to God. Hindrances are then removed. The more the Holy Spirit works in the life, the greater our comfort and assurance. He does in our lives that for which He has been given to do in us – filling and controlling our life. Cease to quench and grieve Him. Be at His disposal.
